Container for dispensing casingless propellant charge elements

ABSTRACT

A dispensing device for casingless propellant charge elements is formed by a longitudinally extending container forming a passageway for holding the charge elements in serial alignment with either the walls of the container or inwardly extending projections at the ends of the passageway holding the charge elements in the container. A dispensing member can be arranged to hold the container for dispensing individual charge elements. Further, individual containers can be packaged within a box containing a divider for spacing the container apart.

United States Patent Inventors Hans-Dieter Seghezzi Mittlefeld, Liechtenstein; Herbert Rangger, Frastanz, Austria Appl. No. 792,577

Filed Jan. 21, 1969 Patented Jan. 26, 1971 Assignee Hilti Aktiengesellschaft Schaan, Furstentum, Liechtenstein Priority Feb. 16, 1968 Germany [161776 CONTAINER FOR DISPENSING CASINGLESS PROPELLANT CHARGE ELEMENTS 8 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 221/232, 206/56 Int. Cl B65h 5/00 Field of Search 229/93, 15,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 543,991 8/1895 Johnson 229/15 3,270,915 9/1966 Aver 221/232 3,471,056 10/1969 Kovac 22-1/232X Primary ExaminerDavid M. Bockenek Attorney-McGlew and Toren CONTAINER FOR DISPENSING CASINGLESS PROPELLANT CHARGE ELEMENTS SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a container for casingless propellant charge elements and, more particularly, it is concerned with a container for holding the charge elements in an ordered arrangement.

In the past, it has been known to market casingless propellant charge elements in boxes. Generally, about one hundred of the charge elements are packaged in each box. However, the charge elements are not arranged in any ordered manner but are placed in a loose random arrangement within the container. This form of packaging casingless propellant charge pellets is disadvantageous for a number of reasons. For instance, if one of the charge elements should ignite within the container the entire contents of the container would burn up. In such an event, the intense heat generated when one box of charge elements is burned would tend to ignite adjacent boxes. Further, in addition to the safety hazard involved, the loose packaging arrangement of the charge elements is also disadvantageous from the viewpoint of storing and handling the elements. Since the propellant charge elements are disposed in a loose arrangement, some of them may break during transportation or they may disintegrate due to rubbing against one another. In addition, removing the individual charge elements from the box presents a problem due to their small size and lack of any ordered arrangement.

Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is directed to provide a container or dispensing device for casingless propellant charge elements which affords improved safety and better means for storing and handling the charge elements.

Another object of the invention is to afford a container for holding the casingless propellant charge elements in serial alignment in an ordered arrangement.

A further object of the invention is to arrange means for effecting the loading of the charge elements into the container and for holding the charge elements within the containers.

Yet another object is to provide a device for dispensing the charge elements from the container.

Still another object is to supply means for packaging multiple containers of the casingless propellant charge elements.

Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, the container for the charge elements has a tubular fonn with a transverse configuration the same as the corresponding shape of the charge elements. Within the container the charge elements are held either by the walls of the container or by projections extending inwardly of the container for retaining the charge elements in place.

Basically, the invention is directed to means for storing and dispensing the propellant charge elements in an ordered arrangement to prevent any damage to the elements due to attrition because of relative movement between individual ones of the elements and also to provide improved safety by affording individual dispensation of the charge elements from the packaging member. Therefore, it is within the scope of the invention to provide separators between individual charge elements within the container. Moreover, for safety purposes, a noncombustible material of poor heat conductivity can be used in making the containers for the charge elements.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawing: FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a container embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse cross scction taken along line Il-ll of FIG. I;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view partially broken away, of another container embodying theinvention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the circled portion IV in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 and 5a are enlarged perspective views of the circled portion V of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a packaging member for a number of the containers shown in FIG. I; and

FIGS. 7 and 7a illustrate a dispensing assembly incorporating the containers illustrated in FIG. I;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIG. 1, there is illustrated a magazine or container 11 for casingless propellant charge elements formed of a longitudinally extending sleeve 1, preferably made of cardboard or plastic. The sleeve has a slot 7, see FIG. 2, extending for the length of the sleeve. The charge elements 2 have a waferlike cylindrical section and are disposed in serial arrangement within the sleeve 1. In its emptied condition the sleeve I has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the charge elements 2, accordingly, when the charge elements are inserted into the sleeve, the sleeve expands slightly and exerts a certain gripping or compressive action on the cylindrical periphery of the charge elements holding them in position.

In another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3, a container 12 for casingless propellant charge ele ments 2, is formed of a longitudinally extending tubular shaped member 10 which has an inside diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the cylindrically shaped charge elements. As shown in detail in FIG. 4, the upper end of the member 10 has an inwardly projecting annular shaped member 3 with an inside diameter slightly less than the diameter of the charge elements 2. As a result, when the elements are loaded into the member 10 they are prevented from being accidentally displaced from the upper end by means of the annular member. However, to permit the charge elements 2 to be loaded into the upper end of the member 10, four longitudinally extending slots 4 are formed extending for a short distance from the upper end of the member 10. These slots, which are spaced about the periphery of the member, permit the upper end to be expanded for loading the charge elements 2 into the member 10 about the inwardly projecting annular member 3. g

In FIGS. 5 and 5a enlarged detailed views are shown of the lower end of the member 10 with a pair of diametrically opposed extensions 5 projecting downwardly at least a distance equal to the thickness of an individual charge element 2. At the lower ends of the extensions 5 flangelike members 6 extend radially inwardly forming a pair of oppositely arranged shoulders for supporting the charge elements 2 at the lower or outlet end of the member I0. While in FIG. 5 the flangelike members 6 extend only partly across the opening from the member 10, it is possible to have the flanges 6 extend entirely across the bottom of the member 10 forming a continuous barlike closure for that end of the container 12. Since the diameter of the member I0 is slightly larger than that of the charge elements 2 the elements slide downwardly from the upper to the lower end by virtue of their own weight. The length of the extensions 5 is sufficient to permit one or more of the propellant charge elements 2 to be supported by the flangelike members 6 exteriorly of lower end of the member 10. As shown in FIG. 5, individual ones of the charge elements 3 can be removed from the bottom of the member 10 in an easy manual operation without any likelihood of damage or misalignment being caused to the other charge elements contained within the member 10.

In the two embodiments of the magazine containing the charge elements shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the charge elements have a waferlike cylindrical shape, however, it can be appreciated that other shapes of the charge element can be utilized within similarly shaped containers.

in FIG. 6, a box 8 is shown for packaging several of the containers l. A divider strip 9, formed of a plurality of reversed U- shapcd bends, is arranged within the box 8 to form a plurality of channels 9a for receiving the containers 1 and a plurality of alternating channels 9b for spacing adjacent containers. The spacing between adjacent containers is identified by the reference character d. By means of the divider strip 9 the containers can be spaced a sufficient distance to reduce appreciably the possibility ofa fire within one of the loaded con tainers from spreading to an adjacent container. The spacer distance d between adjacent containers within the box 8 should be selected in accordance with the properties of the materials forming the container, and the divider strip 9.

As compared to the container 12 shown in FIG. 3, wherein the charge elements are held somewhat loosely within the member 10, in the sleeve 1 the charge elements 2 are gripped by the sleeve and must be pushed through the container for dispensing the elements from the outlet end. Accordingly. a dispenser assembly 13 is formed of a longitudinally extending cylindrically shaped holder member l4 forming a passageway within which the sleeve 1 is positioned. At its lower end, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 7a the holder member 14 has an inwardly directed annular shaped projection 14a which forms a shoulder for retaining the sleeve 1 within the passageway ll5. At the opposite or upper end of the passageway in the holder member a closure cap 26 is removably secured and has an axially disposed bore ['7 within which a plunger 18 is guided. At its lower end the plunger 18 has a head member 18a which is positionable through the passageway 15 and is arranged to fit into the sleeve 1 in contact with the charge elements therein. At its upper end the plunger 18 is secured to end member 19 which has downwardly extending annular walls 190 forming a chamber 191; into which the closure cap 16 and holder member 14 slide during the charge element dispensing operation. It will be noted in FIG. 7a that the annular walls 190 of the end member 19 have a sufiieient interior diameter to telescope over the exterior surface of the holder member 14.

By exerting a force which causes the closure member 16 and the holder member M to slide into the chamber 391; within the end member R9 the charge elements 2 can be ejected one at a time from the lower end of the holder member by the plunger 18. This dispensing arrangement is suited partieularly for inserting the charge elements directly into the cartridge chamber of an apparatus. As a result, the use of the dispensing assembly 13 avoids any manual handling of the charge elements being loaded into a cartridge chamber and affords a simple and safe storing and handling arrangement. As the charge elements 2 are ejected or dispensed from the end of the holder member M the plunger 18 with its head part 18a gradually assumes the position shown in FIG. 7a where only one element is left in the container 11. When the sleeve 1 is emptied the plunger is retracted, the cap member removed from the holder l4, and the empty sleeve is withdrawn from the passageway 15 within the holder member. With the closure member plunger and end member removed another sleeve 1 can be inserted and after the closure member 16 is threaded or otherwise inserted into the upper end of the holder member, the assembly device is again ready to dispense the charge elements 2.

I claim:

1. A dispensing device for casingless propellant charge elements comprising wall means forming a longitudinally extending tubular passageway arranged to hold a plurality of propellant charge elements in serial alignment for dispensing individual ones of the propellant charge elements from one end of said passageway, said wall means comprise a longitudinally extending sleeve arranged to be loaded with the propellant charge elements, said sleeve having a transverse configuration substantially the same as the transverse configuration of the propellant charge elements and the transverse dimensions of said sleeve in the unloaded condition being slightly less than the corresponding transverse dimensions of the propellant charge element whereby said sleeve exerts a compressive or gripping action on the periphery of the propellant charge elements in said passageway, and said sleeve having a slot extending for its entire height for affording a certain amount of expansion in the transverse direction of said sleeve for permitting the loading of the charge elements into the passageway formed by said sleeve.

2. A dispensing device for casingless propellant charge elements comprising wall means forming a longitudinally extending tubular passageway arranged to hold a plurality of propel lant charge elements in serial alignment for dispensing individual ones of the propellant charge elements from one end of said passageway, said wall means comprising a longitudinally extending sleeve arranged to be loaded with the propellant charge elements, said sleeve having means at each end thereof for holding the propellant charge elements within the sleeve, and means at one end of said sleeve for permitting the loading of the propellant charge elements into said passageway within said sleeve about said means at the end of said sleeve for holding the charge elements therein, said sleeve having a first end and a second end, and said means at said first end comprising a radially inwardly extending annular projection having an inside dimension being less than the corresponding outside dimension of the propellant charge elements loaded within said sleeve for retaining said charge elements therein.

3. A dispensing device for casingless propellant charge elements comprising wall means forming a longitudinally extending tubular passageway arranged to hold a plurality of propellant charge elements in serial alignment for dispensing individual ones of the propellant charge elements from one end of said passageway, said wall means comprising a longitudinally extending sleeve arranged to be loaded with the propellant charge elements, said sleeve having means at each end thereof for holding the propellant charge elements within the sleeve, and means at one end of said sleeve for permitting the loading of the propellant charge elements into said passageway within said sleeve about said means at the end of said sleeve for holding the charge elements therein, said sleeve having a first end and a second end, said means at said second end of said sleeve comprises a pair of diametrically opposed extensions extending longitudinally from said wall means, a transverse member secured to each of said extensions at the end thereof located outwardly from said second end and extending transversely of said passageway in said sleeve at least a portion of the radial dimension of said passageway whereby charge elements loaded into said sleeve at its first end are held within said sleeve at its second end by said extensions and transverse members.

4. A dispensing device for casingless propellant charge elements comprising wall means forming a longitudinally extending tubular passageway arranged to hold a plurality of propellant charge elements in serial alignment for dispensing individual ones of the propellant charge elements from one end of said passageway, said wall means comprise a longitudinally extending sleeve arranged to be loaded with the propellant charge elements, said sleeve having a transverse configuration substantially the same as the transverse configuration of the propellant charge elements and the transverse dimensions of said sleeve in the unloaded condition being slightly less than the corresponding transverse dimensions of the propellant charge element whereby said sleeve exerts a compressive or gripping action on the periphery of the propellant charge elements in said passageway, a dispensing assembly comprises a holder member arranged to enclose and at least partially laterally support said wall means, a member for dispensing the charge elements comprising a first part arranged to be mounted removably on said holder member and a second part movably mounted in said first part for insertion into one end of said passageway formed by said wall means for pushing individual ones of the propellant charge elements from the opposite end of said passageway, said holder member comprises a longitudinally extending tubular member forming a conduit arranged to receive and hold said wall means, said holder member having an annular shaped radially inwardly directed projection at one end of its conduit forming a stop for said wall means inserted therein through the opposite end, and said member for dispensing the charge elements being removably mounted in the opposite end of said holder member.

5. A dispensing device, as set forth in claim 2, wherein a plurality of longitudinally extending slots are formed through said sleeve and extend from said first end a short distance toward said second end for permitting said wall means to be expanded for loading propellant charge elements into said passageway within said sleeve, past said annular projection.

6. A dispensing device, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said transverse members being spaced from said second end of said sleeve by at least the thickness dimension of said charge elements within said passageway whereby individual ones of said charge elements can be removed from the second end of said passageway by sliding the charge elements in a direction transverse to said passageway between said transverse members and the second end of said sleeve.

7. A dispensing device, as set forth in'claim 4. wherein said first part of said holder member comprises a closure cap for the opposite end of said holder member and said second part comprises a longitudinally extending plunger movably mounted within said closure cap and arranged to be slidably positionable through said passageway in said wall means and a cover member being secured to said plunger at the opposite end from the end extending into said passageway in said wall means and being disposed in laterally enclosing spaced relationship to said plunger.

8. A dispensing device, as set forth in claim 7, wherein said cover member forming a longitudinally extending chamber surrounding said plunger and being closed at the end thereof to which the plunger is secured. said chamber having a transverse size sufficient to telescope over said holder member as said plunger is forced through said passageway in said wall means. 

1. A dispensing device for casingless propellant charge elements comprising wall means forming a longitudinally extending tubular passageway arranged to hold a plurality of propellant charge elements in serial alignment for dispensing individual ones of the propellant charge elements from one end of said passageway, said wall means comprise a longitudinally extending sleeve arranged to be loaded with the propellant charge elements, said sleeve having a transverse configuration substantially the same as the transverse configuration of the propellant charge elements and the transverse dimensions of said sleeve in the unloaded condition being slightly less than the corresponding transverse dimensions of the propellant charge element whereby said sleeve exerts a compressive or gripping action on the periphery of the propellant charge elements in said passageway, and said sleeve having a slot extending for its entire height for affording a certain amount of expansion in the transverse direction of said sleeve for permitting the loading of the charge elements into the passageway formed by said sleeve.
 2. A dispensing device for casingless propellant charge elements comprising wall means forming a longitudinally extending tubular passageway arranged to hold a plurality of propellant charge elements in serial alignment for dispensing individual ones of the propellant charge elements from one end of said passageway, said wall means comprising a longitudinally extending sleeve arranged to be loaded with the propellant charge elements, said sleeve having means at each end thereof for holding the propellant charge elements within the sleeve, and means at one end of said sleeve for permitting the loading of the propellant charge elements into said passageway within said sleeve about said means at the end of said sleeve for holding the charge elements therein, said sleeve having a first end and a second end, and said means at said first end comprising a radially inwardly extending annular projection having an inside dimension being less than the corresponding outside dimension of the propellant charge elements loaded within said sleeve for retaining said charge elements therein.
 3. A dispensing device for casingless propellant charge elements comprising wall means forming a longitudinally extending tubular passageway arranged to hold a plurality of propellant charge elements in serial alignment for dispensing individual ones of the propellant charge elements from one end of said passageway, said wall means comprising a longitudinally extending sleeve arranged to be loaded with the propellant charge elements, said sleeve having means at each end thereof for holding the propellant charge elements within the sleeve, and means at one end of said sleeve for permitting the loading of the propellant charge elements into said passageway within said sleeve about said means at the end of said sleeve for holding the charge elements therein, said sleeve having a first end and a second end, said means at said second end of said sleeve comprises a pair of diametrically opposed extensions extending longitudinally from said wall means, a transverse member secured to each of said extensions at the end thereof located outwardly from said second end and extending transversely of said passageway in said sleeve at least a portion of the radial dimension of said passageway whereby charge elements loaded into said sleeve at its first end are held within said sleeve at its second end by said extensions and transverse members.
 4. A dispensing device for casingless propellant charge elements comprising wall means forming a longitudinally extending tubular passageway arranged to hold a plurality of propellant charge elements in serial alignment for dispensing individual ones of the propellant charge elements from one end of said passageway, said wall means comprise a longitudinally extending sleeve arranged to be loaded with the propellant charge elements, said sleeve having a transverse configuration substantially the same as the transverse configuration of the propellant charge elements and the transverse dimensions of said sleeve in the unloaded condition being slightly less than the corresponding transverse dimensions of the propellant charge element whereby said sleeve exerts a compressive or gripping action on the periphery of the propellant charge elements in said passageway, a dispensing assembly comprises a holder member arranged to enclose and at least partially laterally support said wall means, a member for dispensing the charge elements comprising a first part arranged to be mounted removably on said holder member and a second part movably mounted in said first part for insertion into one end of said passageway formed by said wall means for pushing individual ones of the propellant charge elements from the opposite end of said passageway, said holder member comprises a longitudinally extending tubular member forming a conduit arranged to receive and hold said wall means, said holder member having an annular shaped radially inwardly directed projection at one end of its conduit forming a stop for said wall means inserted therein through the opposite end, and said member for dispensing the charge elements being removably mounted in the opposite end of said holder member.
 5. A dispensing device, as set forth in claim 2, wherein a plurality of longitudinally extending slots are formed through said sleeve and extend from said first end a short distance toward said second end for permitting said wall means to be expanded for loading propellant charge elements into said passageway within said sleeve, past said annular projection.
 6. A dispensing device, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said transverse members being spaced from said second end of said sleeve by at least the thickness dimension of said charge elements within said passageway whereby individual ones of said charge elements can be removed from the second end of said passageway by sliding the charge elements in a direction transverse to said passageway between said transverse members and the second end of said sleeve.
 7. A dispensing device, as set forth in claim 4, wherein said first part of said holder member comprises a closure cap for the opposite end of said holder member and said second part comprises a longitudinally extending plunger movably mounted within said closure cap and arranged to be slidably positionable through said passageway in said wall means and a cover member being secured to said plunger at the opposite end from the end extending into said passageway in said wall means and being disposed in laterally enclosing spaced relationship to said plunger.
 8. A dispensing device, as set forth in claim 7, wherein said cover member forming a longitudinally extending chamber surrounding said plunger and being closed at the end thereof to which the plunger is secured, said chamber having a transverse size sufficient to telescope over said holder member as said plunger is forced through said passageway in said wall means. 